EUROPE/ITALY - "Operation Dove": for 25 years a nonviolent presence in the theaters of war

Thursday, 20 July 2017 peace   wars  

APG23

Rimini (Agenzia Fides) - "Operation Dove", nonviolent peace Corps of the Pope John XXIII COMMUNITY (APG23) founded by Don Oreste Benzi, celebrates its 25 anniversary. It was established in the summer of 1992, in the wake of the war in ex-Yugoslavia, by the enthusiasm of some young Romanians supported by Don Oreste Benzi, who always believed in the potential of this project. "To bring the presence of non-armed civilian volunteers, alongside the poorest in the heart of wars. From this insight it was discovered that the intervention model works: where our volunteers are present, violence is reduced and dialogue is encouraged", commented Giovanni Paolo Ramonda, President of APG23, in a note sent to Fides.
In 25 years, Don Benzi's Community, through Operation Dove, has intervened in 17 situations of war or conflict in the world: from Chechnya to Congo, from East Timor to Chiapas. About 2000 volunteers have left in these years for a nonviolent presence in conflict areas. Today Operation Dove is present in Israel and Palestine, Lebanon, Albania and Colombia.
On 22 and 23 July, a few kilometers from Rimini, there will be a meeting of volunteers of Operation Dove, where meetings, debates and testimonies, as well as music and convivial moments will take place. (SL) (Agenzia Fides, 20/07/2017)


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